Low-energy structure in the 44S region through β decay

Interest in nuclei near singly magic S-44 has increased recently due to theoretical predictions of nuclear deformation in this region. With( 44)S lying near the doubly magic nucleus Ca-48, deformation would be another example of the breakdown in a simple spherical shell model view as one moves away from stability. Reported here are results from the first in a series of experiments to measure the low-energy excited states in the heavy even-even S isotopes through the beta decay of odd-odd P isotopes, in this case the beta decay of P-40 into excited states of S-40. Information was also obtained from the decays of S-40,S-42 and Cl-42,Cl-43. The placement of levels in S-40 is Consistent with a vibrational nucleus with a small deformation.